Search

Background: Aarskog-Scott syndrome (AAS) is a rare developmental disorder characterised by facial dysmorphism, genital and limb anomalies as well as disproportionate acromelic short stature. Clinical diagnosis is based on physical examination and the presence of the most characteristic clinical signs. The diagnosis can be finally confirmed by molecular tests, which identify mutations in the FGD1 gene., Case Report: The report outlines the orthodontic treatment of a 6-year-old male patient, who was diagnosed with AAS syndrome. He presents all facial and oral clinical signs of this syndrome. The extent of maxillary hypoplasia and early dental crowding are so significant that immediate expansion therapy is required., Conclusion: Dental management of patients with AAS syndrome represents a challenge for paediatric dentists. The key to improving a patient's aesthetic, functional and psychological condition is making the correct orthodontic decision.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate how widespread is the use of the 2 x 4 appliance among Italian general dentists and specialists in orthodontics, as well as the type of treatment employed and length of use., Materials and Methods: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey from July 14, 2016 to January 12, 2017 using an online questionnaire of 8 multiple choice questions, created by the SurveyMonkey® Company, on a population of Italian dentists and specialists in orthodontics affiliated with the Italian Society of Paediatric Dentistry (SIOI). This was made to assess how many clinicians knew and used this device in their clinical practice. We included 200 Italian dentists, 99 specialists in orthodontics and 101 general dentists of a mean age of 45 ± 15 years., Results: Results show that 93.94% of orthodontists have knowledge of and use this device in their clinical practice, while only 51.49% of the general dentists have knowledge of and use it (p<0.001). The 51.92% of dentists and the 52.13% of orthodontists used the 2x4 appliance to treat both space management and incorrect overjet. Most of general dentists and orthodontists combined the 2x4 appliance with pre-adjusted brackets and accessory components such as coil springs and power chains. While most of dentists (45.90%) used the 2x4 in association with appliances for space management, most of specialists (46.15%) applied the 2×4 in combination with both appliances for space management and high-pull headgear. Statistically significant differences were found also for the answers to the question "what is the average time of treatment?" among general dentists: the 32.79% used the 2 x 4 for less than 6 months of treatment, and the 67.21% used the 2 x 4 for more than 6 months of treatment. On the other hand 49.46% of orthodontists used the 2 x 4 for less than 6 months of treatment, and 50.54% of them for more than 6 months of treatment (p=0.041)., Conclusions: We conclude that the 2 x 4 appliance is widespread among orthodontists and about half of the general dentists, 93.94% and 51.49% (p<0.001) respectively. We found that 67.21% of general dentists used the 2 x 4 for a more than 6 months of treatment. As far as the orthodontists, 49.46% used the device for less than 6 months of treatment and 50.54% of them for more than 6 months of treatment. These differences were statistically significant (p=0.041).

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the changes over time associated with salivary indices and the presence of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus in patients treated with Occlus-o-Guide., Materials and Methods: Two groups of patients were evaluated: a test group of 20 patients treated with Occlus-o-Guide and a control group of 20 patients not subjected to orthodontic treatment. Both groups were homogeneous for age and sex. We examined the levels of S. Mutans and Lactobacillus, the salivary flow, the buffer capacity of saliva and the Sillness and Loe plaque index (PI). The samples were taken at baseline (T0), after 3 months (T1) and after 6 months of treatment (T2). All data were compared using Student's t test., Results: The percentage of patients with a level of Streptococcus mutans able to cause caries was decreased in the test group (T0 = 10%, T1 = %, T2 = 0%) compared to the control group (T0 = 0%, T1 = 5%, T2 = 35%), whereas the amount of Lactobacilli was different (test group T0 = 15%, T1 = 0%, T2 = 10%; control group T0 = 0%, T1 = 5%, T2 = 35%). The total salivary flow was increased in the test group (T0 = 47, T1 = 61, T2 = 61) compared to the control group, in which it had remained almost constant (T0 = 44, T1 = 45, T2 = 45). The buffer capacity of saliva was unchanged in both groups over time; the sum of PI-plaque indices was reduced in the test group (T0 = 3, T1 = 0, T2 = 2) compared to the control group (T0 = 0, T1 = 14, T2 = 27)., Conclusion: Despite the presence of the Occlus-o-Guide device, patients are able to maintain a good level of oral hygiene, showing improvements of the examinated parameters at follow-ups.

Aim: The aim of the study is to analyse the prevalence of anomalous function of the orofacial muscles and their aetiological factors in a small sample of paediatric patients, to evaluate the correlation between anomalous functions of the orofacial muscles and malocclusions, and finally to verify the effects of a myofunctional protocol, composed of a series of exercises aimed at correcting the anomalous function and position of the tongue., Methods: The protocol that has been used in this research is a re-elaboration of the diagnostic and therapeutic methods set by two authors, Daniel Garliner and Aurelio Levrini. A group of 57 children (aged 5 to 13, mean age 8.2) with atypical swallowing diagnosis, has been treated for almost 3 years., Results: Physiologic swallowing was achieved in 47% of the children treated., Conclusion: The results show the benefits of the myofunctional therapy in the treatment of children with abnormal swallowing.

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare two methods of treatment for aggressive periodontitis: traditional surgical and Nd:YAG laser, evaluating their possible objective clinical advantages., Materials and Methods: A total of 36 hemiarches of 18 patients were analysed, 10 males and 8 females of average age of 14, selected according to predefined criteria. Overall we examined 70 radicular surfaces (sites) of 50 teeth. Each hemiarch to treat was randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups., Results and Conclusion: The results, analysed using the Friedman's test, showed a clinically appreciable validity both for the surgical and the laser treatment, while the Wilcoxon signed-rank test didn't highlight any statistically significant difference between the two types of treatment. The laser itself appears as a valid alternative to conventional therapy, in relation to the young age of the patients and for individuals at increased anaesthesiological risk and/or with coagulation and platelet function disorders.

Aim: This was the radiographic evaluation of 15 maxillary incisors apexification treatment carried out on 7-9 years old patients with periapical pathology due to pulpal necrosis after dental trauma., Materials and Methods: The treatment consisted of two phases. The aim of first phase was the formation of a calcified apical barrier through calcium hydroxide medications repeated twice with a three months interval. The aim of the second phase was the obturation of the root canal system once achieved a radiographic evidence of the formation of an apical barrier. The treated teeth were radiographed at six months and then periodically once a year for a period of 7 and 13 years., Results: The radiographic analysis allowed to underline three different kinds of apical formation: a physiological development of the apical portion with a final root length equal to the contralateral tooth; the formation of a cap tissue and an apical development with the final root length slightly shorter than the contralateral tooth; or the formation of different layers of mineralised tissue that aggregate together trough the years., Conclusion: Apexification is not a static phenomenon and the apexified area undergoes through the years to a conspicuous readjustment involving bone, apical root tissues and root filling material.